Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-05

family. when her natural suspicious were quoted,
as she always had taken her domestics. She
bought her cambria dress, helped her TO make &c,
and TOOK her 10 church with her. When the girl
was arrayej IN that pretty cambria, and a new hat
with pleasure. She nodded and smiled behind her
/ back 10 Wells. who was also eyfng her. "Dont
she ook pretty?" she mOtiOned with her lips; and
she had not one misgiving. Neither had she any
/ When now and then her son took her servant girl
TO meeting OF weekday night, driving a mile and
half by moonlight In his open buggy. She
thought hing oft when he did not 20 see the
blue-gowned girl In the farmhouse down the road
he ousy hsying," she SAID 10 herself. "Wels
ain the Kind 70 neglect his work for any girl anu
! I'm glad or IT,"
AT last however her eyes were opened. Wells
sat down on the doorstep: The house was DARK
and they supposed Mrs. jefferson had gone 10 bed
But she had not; she was at the sitting room win;
dow watching and listening. Something had
aroused her that afternoon. one OF the neighbors
mad been talking e. her. and she had learned for
the frst time how iniudcious she had been IN ad-
hitting such pretty doubtful sort OF girl to her
house, and bringing her In such close cOnta with
Der son. She had learned, too that Annie lnneid,
the girl In blue was taking Wells neglect TO heart
-plning over II, the neighbor said so now she
listened. She could see them quite plainly, too, as
she peeped cautiously.
''Sit down here a minute Wells said; 1T TOO
pleasant to go In"
"Do you believe we'd bettersy Louises voice re-
piled, heStatingly.
| cor course. Why notcr
Then there was silence for a while. Mrs Jener-
son could see her son on lower step gazing up
at was a nightly lucky day when happened
TO spy you on the road, wasn't IT, Louse:" he said,
"Mighty lucky for me" she replied, gratefully.
alt was enough sight tucker for me. did you
know IL, Louise"
MRS. Jefferson saw her son grasp the girls hands
as they lay In her lap. 81 wish you'd Kiss me once,
Louise"
The kiss was barely given and received when the
two sprang apart suddenly and arose. heavy
tread sounded in the entry behind them, and Mrs
"Why, you here! When did you get home from
| meeting?" asked she. Her voice was harsh with
/ agitation.
"a few minutes ago. Thought you'd gone to
bed, mother" Wells was biuSHipg, but he looked
| her In the face like man.
NO; Thought "a wait TN you got home I'm
a-going now; I've been kinder d0zy."
''she doesn't know" thought her son.
"You'd better come in and go 10 bed now.
Louise, his mother went on "IOu'n want TO get
up early ia the morning; It's baking day to-mor-
| row. Did you hev good meeting?"
eyes ma'am." said the GIRL trembling. Then she
| came In Obediently, and went up TO her room.
For the next few days there was no chance for
any sweet condolences between Wells jefferson and
his mothers hired girl He could not catch Louise
alone for second. try as he might. Finally ne got
provoked: he Thought she avoided min on purpo se
he did not see that his mother Was managing II all
| lie thought Louise was at fault when Mrs. Jef1er-
\ son went with him 10 the next evening meeting in
her stead. His mother had made Skfllrul snow OF
giving the girl her choice In the matter. ana ne
Thought she might have gone IL she had cared TO-
| lie went of, his mother at his Side, savage and
hurt; he had a very Jealous disposition
Annie Llnfieid was at the meeting. she mad
walked all the way alone. His mother remarked
| on IL delcat-ly. There's Annie" said she; Il
guess she walked down."
81 guess I'll take her home, then, II you don
| mind being crowded out"
.'Or course l DON'T 'TaIn't fit for her to walk
| so FUR"
! Annie Linields sweet round face, which had
IOoSed a little pensive she sat In church. lighted
/ up when Wells spoke to her. She accepted nj, In.
VltatiOn prettily; she was ready enough TO over
I
/ nding along, With her sort white shawl drawn
| closely around her dainty shoulders while her
poor little unconscious rival sat all alone In the
/ dark at her window crying.
| "Gone to bed, Louisa:" called Mrs. Jefferson,
! when she entered the house.
"Ies. ma'am."
ashes BEEN crying" thought her mistress, with
| pain in her heart.
The next morning Wells went away on business.
| His mother had been urging IL for some time. He
would stay away two day and one night. you've
got TO see your uncle about That te some time,
! his mother had said, sand you might as well go
| tomorrow as TO wait. The hays all H."
Wells had not demurred this time. Ills mother
watched ZealOusly lest he should make an efort TO
see Louise before he started, but he did not even
| try.
| matter. They were In the sit1Dg-room after
"Iouise." said Mrs jefferson, with an odd stiflz
ness and embarrassment in her tone, 81 want to
/ SPEAK to you about something"
| Louise looked up from her work-she was learn
/ ing TO sew.
|
don't ike 20 speak aoout It, but I've got to, and
/ you mustn't feel hurt. never thought Of such a
thing I'LL lately. l never Thought thaI-weli, l
might as well tell you / never thou yht that you
I ana my son would think ofseach other"
| Louise never TOOK ner eyes oil ner mistress.
| course you know such a thing would make me very
/ unhappy. IL wouldn't be for his best good. l
/ haven't got thing against you, yon know, Louise
/ deal Of You; but yoa Know as well l do-Syour
/ commOn-sense must teach. you-that Wells
/ would need different Kind OF person FOR his
| wife-someOody that's been brought up more like
| him"
~ know / want brought up anyhow; but
'aint been-I've tried TO DE good. Mis- Jefferson.
| Louise But, don't you know, it's different Now
I there's Annie Lin1eld. Welis an sne want en-
gagged but ne used 10 90 and see her real Often II
/ would De "A splend1d timing Ior him. Her father
] got property, ana she's an only daughter, ant
:.sue'd make MIN better wife than me, wouldn't
! shes"
! was il said In innocence or sarcasm? Mrs. JEFF
/ tersOn looked at her SHARPLY.
! why OF course she would. Louise your CON-
| mOu sense must show you that"
Il won't make him no trouble-you needn't
worry"
! ..,Sw you amt going to feel bad about IT,,
| Louise"
| ..No, won't feel pad"
Mrs. Jefferson looked at Louise uneasiy. She
| would not nave minded so much IL she had cried.
| she had strained look on ter little face which
/ troubled her. ''Well, can't help II. know am
| acting IOr the best" she told herself
| That night, when the stars W re out and every
thing still, small trembling figure stole
downstairs. IL battered softly Into Ms. Jeffer-
sons bedroom OF the sitting-room, bent over the
I sleeping woman and kissed her forehead. Then II
fed out OF the house and down the snadOwy road
tn Boston
| The next morning Mrs. Jefferson, after calling
Louise In vain. went up TO her room. The bed had
not been sept in. and there Was little note on
the bureau. IL Was pr1nted-She could not write:
| and DO one one knew now the poor child had az
Quired even this much knowledge:
| "DEEE Mis- JEFFsox.-f am soin AVA / am sick Of
hOus-vurk. Its TWO slow am goin to wurk selling
/ waists agtu--LOIsE-"
Mrs. Je1ersons first emotions were disgust and
disappointment. Then suddenly she understood.
/ This little note had been written with the cunning
| born OF loye and uusrllish deyotion. IL had been
Z written Tor her 10 SOW Wells. IL made her way
! all plain. " would cure him.
When she understood, she sat down and cried
with pity and remorse. 81 couldn't help It," she
mOaned extenuatin gly to herself. Il couldn't
| have nv son marry China woman"
She was glad when Annie iinfieid came oyel
that afternoon. She had on pretty muslin. and
-he flushed very pink when Mrs. Jefferson greeted
her. 81 just came on an GRAND for mother" said
/ she.
well you aust come In and rest minute now
| YOU are here" replied the other, with an inward
resolve 10 keep her till Wells returned.
she did 80 without much difficulty. When the
yoGGg man returned, he found the pretty smiling
Girl with his mother lie looked around for Lou.
ise. but said nothing, surprising she would appeal
every Moment I'LL they took their seats at the tea
table.
.Where's Louise!" he asked then, trying to loos
! unCOncernet-
Ills mother made a motion for him TO be STILL
He looked at her wOnderingly. jumping TO the con-
cIuslon that Louise mad gone visiting somewhere